Studying methods that regulate cell growth and research looking at feed efficiency in ruminant livestock recently netted scientists outstanding research awards from the Wyoming Agricultural Experiment Station (AES) at the University of Wyoming.

Department of Animal Science professor Bill Murdoch received the Outstanding Research Award, and assistant professor Kristi Cammack in the department was presented the Early Career Research Achievement Award.

Bill Murdoch

“The Wyoming Agricultural Experiment Station is proud to honor professors Cammack and Murdoch for their tremendous efforts,” said Bret Hess, AES director and associate dean of research in the college. “It is a pleasure to recognize these two very productive researchers for their accomplishments.”The outstanding research award recognizes accomplishments of established scientists in the college.

Murdoch’s program has focused on mechanisms that regulate ovarian function and has evolved into the investigation and discovery of methods to regulate cell growth, said Doug Hixon, professor and head of the animal science department.

“The merit of his innovative hypotheses and approaches in cancer research are widely recognized – as evidenced by his numerous invited presentations and successful grantsmanship,” Hixon noted.

Murdoch has attracted $4.9 million in funding during his 32 years at UW and wrote or cowrote 152 journal manuscripts, review articles and book chapters.

His teaching has been recognized by numerous awards, said Hixon, and he has directed 18 theses and dissertations and trained three post-doctoral fellows.

The Early Career Achievement Award recognizes achievements by junior scientists in the college.

Cammack quickly established her laboratory upon arrival in the Department of Animal Science in 2006 and continues to develop independent and collaborative research based on her expertise in quantitative and moleculargenetics, said Hixon.

Cammack’s research focused on changes in gene expression induced by toxins in the diet and is now looking at feed efficiency in ruminant livestock.

She is collaborating with scientists in the United States and in New Zealand, Brazil and South Africa. She has received $4.1 million in funding and has 23 journal articles either as the primary or collaborating author.

She is advising three master’s students and has finished four master’s students and one Ph.D. student.

“Kristi has proven to be an excellent graduate student mentor and teacher and was selected Top Prof by her students in two separate years,” said Hixon.